[Functional hemitongue reconstruction with free forearm flap].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical application of free forearm flap in the functional hemitongue reconstruction.


METHODS
From July 2002 to November 2006, 40 patients with tongue cancer underwent hemiglossectomy and primary hemitongue reconstruction with free forearm flaps. In some cases, the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerves of the flaps were anastomosed with the lingual nerve to restore the flap sensation.


RESULTS
All patients recovered uneventfully after surgery with no morbidity in the donor site. All free flaps survived. The average follow-up period was 2 years and 6 months. The aesthetic and functional results were both satisfactory. The swallowing and speech function were almost normal. The flap sensation was partially restored.


CONCLUSIONS
Good functional hemitongue reconstruction can be achieved with free forearm flaps.
Liao
Gui-Qing
GQ
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510015, China. drliaoguiqing@hotmail.com
Su
Yu-Xiong
YX
Liu
Hai-Chao
HC
Li
Jin
J
Fahmha
Numan
N
Ou
De-Ming
DM
Wang
Qin
Q
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*